A new bill filed by State Rep. Matthew Winslow in the North Carolina House seeks to revise the community college funding model to better reflect enrollment and workforce demand factors, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 490 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Propel NC Funding and Tuition Surcharge.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the State Board of Community Colleges to revise the funding model for community colleges to align with the Propel NC funding model, effective July 1, 2025. It repeals previous legislation impacting community college funding and introduces criteria for funding allocations, including enrollment-based allocations weighted by workforce sector demand. The bill establishes an Enrollment Increase Reserve to provide funds to community colleges for enrollment increases exceeding 5% or 325 full-time equivalent students. Additionally, it permits community colleges to implement a local surcharge of up to 10% on tuition and fees, with surcharge revenue directed solely to instructional purposes. The bill appropriates $93 million to revise the funding model and $6 million to the Enrollment Increase Reserve for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Kyle Hall proposed the most bills (22) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Winslow graduated from East Carolina University with a BS.
Winslow, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 7th House district, replacing previous state representative Lisa Barnes.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Winslow, David Willis, Kyle Hall, and Ray Pickett | HB 490 | 03/24/2025 | Propel NC Funding and Tuition Surcharge. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Jarrod Lowery, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 465 | 03/19/2025 | Waive Renewal Fee/Military Drivers Licenses. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brian Echevarria, Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 432 | 03/18/2025 | Property Tax Relief Study. |
| Matthew Winslow, Donnie Loftis, Donny Lambeth, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 440 | 03/18/2025 | Healthy Food Healthy Bodies. |
| Matthew Winslow, Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 364 | 03/11/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Phil Rubin, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 360 | 03/10/2025 | Homeowner Protection Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Robert T. Reives, II, and Ya Liu | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carson Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, and Joseph Pike | HB 299 | 03/05/2025 | Increase Disabled Veteran Prop Tax Benefit. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carla D. Cunningham, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 314 | 03/05/2025 | Removal of Squatters from Private Property. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 286 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Vance/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 287 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Franklin/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 291 | 03/04/2025 | Franklinton Annexations. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Celeste C. Cairns, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 58 | 02/04/2025 | Various Local Elections. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Gambling Loss Tax Deduct, NC Sound Money Act. |
